words of doxological wisdom

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Monthly Archives: November 2018

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Welcome, all Wonders in one sight!
Eternity shut in a span.
Summer to winter, day in night,
Heaven in earth, and God in man.
Great little One! Whose all-embracing birth
Lifts earth to heaven, stoops heaven to earth.

To Thee, meek Majesty! soft King
Of simple graces and sweet loves.
Each of us his lamb will bring,
Each his pair of silver doves;
Till burnt at last in fire of Thy fair eyes,
Ourselves become our own best sacrifice.

—Richard Crashaw (1613-49), “The Holy Nativity of Our Lord God: A Hymn Sung as by Shepherds” (there are many choral settings of this text)

Thou who art love beyond all telling,
Saviour and King, we worship Thee.
Emmanuel, within us dwelling,
Make us what thou wouldst have us be.
Thou who art love beyond all telling,
Saviour and King, we worship Thee.

In the Christian story God descends to reascend. He comes down; down from the heights of absolute being into time, and space, down into humanity . . . down to the very roots and seabed of the Nature He has created. But He goes down to come up again and bring the whole ruined world up with Him. One has the picture of a strong man stooping lower and lower to get himself underneath some great complicated burden. He must stoop in order to lift, he must almost disappear under the load before he incredibly straightens his back and marches off with the whole mass swaying on his shoulders.

Are you in a desert?
He is the living water.
Are you on a mountain top?
He is higher still.
Are you in a dark place?
He is the Light of the world.
Are you in the sunshine?
His glory is brighter.
Are you in confusion?
He is the Answer.
Are you content?
He is your source.
Are your thoughts and heart troubled?
He is the Prince of Peace.
Are you happy and singing?
His presence surrounds you with joy.